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Visiting My Origins
I'll be back in Wisconsin in mid July. If anyone still reads this, drop me a line. -
Campaign Ideas: Three Corners
One problem with many tabletop RPG campaigns is dungeon glut. Some companies promote this style through designs of linear encounters. It is the shortest rout to avoid a train wreck but this is ultimately a rut that games need to get past. At the very least, give the players multiple paths to choose so their choices have some real impact on the game ( Read more... ) -
Campaigns I've Played: Update
A couple of years ago I made a list of completed campaigns I've played and picked the top 5. That list hasn't changed, I'm sad to say, but there have been more games with their own high and low points. It's time for a new list:- Quest for the Omelette This is my name for Brian's 3.5 home-brew game attempting to reach epic levels. I was greatly ( Read more... )
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Simpler is Better
I'm not a fan of D&D 4e for several reasons. Judging from the playtest for the next D&D edition, others aren't interested in the general design either. Even though the new rules are going for a D&D feel and they try to address problems like casters who are useless after a few spells, there is a notable lack of modifiers. 4e, after all the errata ( Read more... ) -
Cruise Thoughts
My own experience was not a shining example. The bed was painfully lumpy. The ship breakdown cut all but one port of call. Incoming and outgoing travel included both early mornings and late nights. The pandering cruise director who wouldn't shut up was a down point. There were high points. The first comedian, Sarge, was quite funny, ( Read more... ) -
GM Advice: Urgency Makes Motivation
Rule of the day: urgency makes players motivated. A game without motivation is listless. Even when players have something to build to they can loose steam. Incremental progress helps but threatening that progress helps more. If there is a goal the players believe they can loose by being too slow, they will focus and buckle down. Be careful you ( Read more... ) -
GM Advice: ready list of names
Rule of the day: have a list of names for NPCs. This is common advice in RPG books but it is is a good idea. Without a name a NPCs cannot be seen as significant. Real people don't think of themselves as one-dimensional tools and names are proof of identity. Names carry cultural history, ethnicity and implicit personality. Gertrude is a ( Read more... ) -
GM Advice: Table Top Games are Not Books
New Rule: things are not what they are not and RPGs are not books. At least video games are games. Books are a far worse base for RPGs. A good book will show not tell but games are about interactivity so they will never have the same goals. Books can only have one viewpoint at a time where every player and the GM have a view of the game. Books ( Read more... ) -
GM Advice: It’s Not Your Game
Today's rule runs counter to everything you would have thought after reading so many rules for your games: it's not your game, it belongs to the group. You don't own this experience, players are not there for your enjoyment, this is not your personal kingdom. The moment you disregard players is the moment your game is done. Have fun making an ( Read more... )